Human rights activists denounce Houston police practices

Audio 02:37

By: Thomas Harms

The clashes between the police and the demonstrators in the United States, the violence, the blunders, do not seem to spare any city. Except for Houston, where George Floyd's tributes and funerals are held for two days, but behind this image relayed by a charismatic chief of police at Houston Art Acevedo, civil rights defenders have another vision. Investigation of our correspondent.

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At the heart of a demonstration in Houston, an African American sheriff in uniform shakes hands. " I walk with them. It is the best way to act. The police are not demonstrating, they are there to allow everyone to demonstrate with confidence. But their superiors are there and participate in the demonstrations to show their support for the population. "

But after this demonstration, 200 people were arrested for staying on the street after the dispersal. Monique Sparks is part of a group of lawyers who defend these protesters for free.
“ About 50 people were locked up in a gymnasium and stayed there all night before their cases were dealt with. Some were handcuffed (with plastic ties). We were told about pepper spray, air pistol ... There are too many different practices. The one we see on television, walking with the population is not the police that we saw with the demonstrators. "

Lawyers also speak of protective masks forcibly removed during the 30 hours of detention. At another demonstration in Houston, a video shows a mounted police officer, toppling a protester who is later trampled on by his horse.

Art Acevedo, Chief of Police, Houston: “ I saw this video. And I already told my mounted police that a horse is like a car. No matter how urgent you are, when there is a crowd you have to slow down. And I don't know of any police officer who would hesitate to say, whether intentional or not. " I'm sorry, oh my god, we're so sorry it happened ." The least we can do as a police department is to recognize that it was not our intention. This is the only way to be able to heal our relationships with the population. You have to be transparent and admit when you can do better. "

But in the past six weeks, six people have been killed by Houston police in criminal cases or threats of armed forces. And the videos have not been made public.

Art Acevedo explains: “ We are not opposed to making the videos public, but we have shown the videos or offered to show the videos to families. They do not want images of their loved ones to arrive on the internet, on violent sites, and for their families to be exposed to them for generations. "

Since taking office in 2016, an average of seven people have been killed each year by the Houston police, which represents only 7% of those killed by the police in Texas.

Nneka Akubeze is a lawyer for the Houston Protestor's Defense team:“ We cannot be satisfied with these figures. Because one life is already too much. There are trades you can't do wrong. Aren't you going to get on a plane if you're told, the pilot ? he is one of our best. He's not a very good driver, but he should be able to do the job. It is unacceptable, no one will want to get on this plane. "

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• United States
• Justice
• Racism

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